August 29, 2016

Kia ora whanau!! 

So a couple hours ago, I was sitting at the computer emailing you all. 

One time, our investigator  had to be taught by the other Elders in Oamaru because she moved so we were able to plan a transition lesson with me and Elder A to teach it. We haven't taught her yet because she's been sick with the flu all week but I'm excited to teach a lesson with Elder A again and I've felt at peace with the transition. 

We went to the  to have a lesson with a member family this week. Sister S

is our seminary teacher, well, she was. She was actually released on Sunday and called as the Stake Young Womens' President. Really neat thing. Anyways. She was telling us a few things she had learned as she was preparing her lessons from Isaiah. They were really neat things. I also don't remember them very well... haha. But the point is, as this was happening, the Spirit reminded me that I had just read all the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi and I hadn't put any effort into them at all and that I needed to go back and study them. A little bit of a daunting prompting but I know that the Lord gives no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. (I bet one of the ways he's gonna prepare a way for me to learn is by you all sharing with me ideas and things from Isaiah to help me learn. S/O to Austin who already has a few months ago.) :)

I don't have much to say, but if you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true. 

Aroha,

Elder Benjamin

Jacob 4:6-7

Kia ora whanau!! 

What a week. A little bit different week actually. This week I was prompted to pull out the Atonement book the mission made in 2014 and read it. As I was reading a talk by Elder Bednar, he talked about how the Lord shows us our weakness so we can be humble. Elder Maxwell talks about how it happens as we come unto Christ and it's usually life's circumstances that show us our weakness. I was definitely shown mine this week. I am happy to say that I'm not discouraged at all. I've only felt a renewed desire to rely on Heavenly Father and the Savior. I know they'll help me out. It's just interesting to feel the weight of it on my shoulders. It's like the Savior said, "Hey Elder. See this bag of rocks? I've been carrying it around for you for a while. You're ready for it right now. See how heavy it is? It's alright. You just need to get rid of these things. Some of them you just throw away, others you give back to me. I know you can do it. I'll help you." It's like my spiritual footprints became a little bit deeper in the sand. 

For the musical fireside, I had to learn about 8 or 9 new songs this week. I tell you what, that was stressful. I definitely felt the Lord helping me practice. The fireside went really really well though! It came together so well and I was so pleased. 

Our investigator came to church again! And to the Fireside! After we taught her in the second hour, we showed her the pictures in the foyer and read the scriptures that went along with them. As we were showing her the first vision she said, "The more you two teach me, the more sense it all makes." I was so pleased. 

I'm happy to say that I'm staying in Oamaru with Elder M! 

Arohanui,

Elder Benjamin 

August 15, 2016

Kia ora whanau! 

What a week. Wow. I tell you what. Wow. 

I think I mentioned that the Osburns had talked to their waitress as they were at lunch and she became a new investigator last week. Maybe? Well they did and we started teaching her this week and we had 4 lessons with her! All of them were her choice! She started reading the Book of Mormon and she even came to church on Sunday! I'm almost in shock, for lack of a better word, just because it's so surprising and so fast. It's really really neat though. 

I guess i just don't really know what to say about it because it's all been happening so fast! 

As we were in church on Sunday, I started to wonder how people find the iron rod. I had the thought that the people holding onto it, with their eyes fixed on the tree of life, are singing. So when the mists of darkness come or when people let go and get lost, they have so many people singing the song of redeeming love to guide them back to the rod. 

Arohanui,

Elder Benjamin 

White Christmas

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

I woke up on a morning this week and I honestly don't remember which one it was, but there was snow falling!! Everyone was telling us that it only snows in Oamaru once ever 7-8 years but I got to see it! Elder M and Elder A had never seen snow so they were both super stoked about it. It was all great until this morning and the other Elders' pipes had frozen so they had to come to mine to shower, hahahaha. #NewZealand

The Osburns had taken the other elders out to lunch and they noticed that their waitress had a cross on her necklace. They started up a conversation and agreed to meet again. On Saturday, when they met up, she told them about finding Christ and how she was baptized as a baby but that she's always wanted to be baptized again. By immersion. "Hello!! WE know all about that!! Come join our church and get baptized!!" You know the best part? She lives in our area and we have a lesson with her and the Osburns on Tuesday. 

Notice how I talk about the Osburns all the time? It's because senior couples are incredible. For all of you out there that are thinking about it, go!! Go on a senior mission. 

The church is true. Heavenly Father answers our prayers. 

Love you all! 

Aroha nui,

Elder Benjamin

Tender Mercies

Kia ora whanau!! 

This was a pretty neat week. I don't think I mentioned this in the group email last week but my camera had dropped and the lens wasn't coming out. I was pretty bummed but then as I pulled it out of my bag during the week, the lens came out!! It takes pictures just fine! I have no idea how it happened, I just know that it's a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father. 

I went on exchanges with Elder A this week and it felt so good. It was like we were back together in Omahu again and I loved it. He's grown so much and so have I. We found a few potential investigators that day and it was neat. 

Elder M and I have been really focusing on helping our members and gaining their trust so we've made an effort to teach them as often as we can, to serve them, and to help them in their callings. We've been getting teaching appointments with them and I think we have 7 or 8 planned for this week alone! Of course they're all with members, but they're the best way to find so I'm pretty pleased. 

I love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin